Macy’s Holiday Parade has marching bands, costumed characters, 25 floats, and Santa Claus. In 2016, it begins at W. Burnside and goes south on NW 9th Ave., east on SW Stark St., south on Broadway, east on SW Alder St. (past Macy’s), north on SW 4th Ave., west on W. Burnside, north on NW Broadway, and west on NW Flanders St. to NW Park Ave. Free.

Vote for Dancing (formerly InspireTruth) is a “playful New Year’s Eve celebration that can inspire us to reach for depth and transform ourselves and our world” at Roseland Theater for age 21+. All ages on Jan. 1.

New Year’s Eve Dinner Reservations

December 31, 2016

Find a list of restaurants that offer special menus and celebrations for New Year’s Eve at OpenTable.

New Year’s Eve Gala

December 31, 2016

Count down to the New Year at the spectacular Champagne Ball, which has four dance floors and 17 bars at the Hilton Portland and Executive Tower. No jeans or anyone under 21.

New Year’s Eve - Governor’s Ball

December 31, 2016

A ticket to The Governor’s Ball includes reserved seating (7 p.m.), dinner (8 p.m.), dancing to live music (9 p.m.), and a champagne toast at The Sentinel Hotel.

New Year’s Eve run/walk

December 31, 2016

Ring in the New Year at First Run with a party at 10 p.m. followed by a 5K run/walk and 10K run at midnight from the World Trade Center Plaza.

SantaCon is an annual mass gathering of people dressed in Santa Claus costumes parading publicly on streets and in bars in cities around the world. The focus is on spontaneity and creativity, while having a good time and spreading cheer and goodwill.

The original inspiration came from an earlier SF adventure club called The Suicide Club who's founder came up with the idea after reading an article about a Danish politician who mobbed a Copenhagen Department store just before Christmas. However, the first American and all subsequent SantaCons around the world are non-political, purely surreal Santa prank events. Read the full story here

Located one mile above Timberline Lodge, you can have the whole place to yourself. It’s perfect for groups of 15-40 people. It’s rustic beauty and craftsmanship can’t be beat. For winter weddings and events Timberline transport you, your friends and family by Snow Cat! Overnight accommodations for up to 24 close friends are available at Silcox Hut.

Most of us have been asked or will be asked to put a few words together and repeat them in front of a staring crowd. For most people, this is a formidable challenge. For some, it's a nightmare. With Toasts for All Occasions as your guide, you'll never be afraid of "saying a few words" again. This unique updated reference book gathers hundreds of toast samples -- from traditional and conservative, to uncommon and amusing -- that can be adapted by anyone, in any situation, at any time...even at the last minute! The hundreds of examples in Toasts for All Occasions can be easily modified to fit any circumstance or situation. It will provide you with the blueprint for a flawless and heartwarming personal or business toast that you can put together days or moments before the spotlight is on you.

Winter Wonderland at Portland International Raceway - recognized throughout the northwest as the largest holiday lightshow west of the Mississippi, the 20th annual Jubitz Winter Wonderland will grab your family's attention with over 250 colorful light set pieces and many animated scenes to be enjoyed from the comfort of your vehicle. Click Here for more details. ﻿

The Christmas Ship Parade averages about 55 to 60 boats between the two Columbia and Willamette River fleets. Both fleets will be out every night for two weeks beginning December 7, 2012 and running nightly through December 21, 2012. The fleet will do a special performance in Camas, WA on Dec. 1st. As we are an all volunteer organization, not all the boats make it out every night.

Peacock Lane - Since the 1920s, each house in this quaint southeast neighborhood has been decorating for Christmas. Mostly Tudors, the houses are adorned with not only beautiful sparkling lights, but also nativity scenes, rotating Christmas trees and stunningly life-like replicas of Santa and Frosty.

Be forewarned: this is a very popular Portland tradition and the crowds can get quite thick. It is wise to park several blocks away and walk, rather than drive through the area. Better yet, take a ride in a horse-drawn carriage. More info about the carriages is avaiable at Cowboy Carriage. For more details, click here.

Our favorite Santas can be visited at:

Macy's Santaland (downtown Portland) - The tradition of visiting Santaland and having family portraits taken with Old St. Nick continues at the downtown Macy's store on the Level A. Macy's will once again offer a wide assortment of digital photography packages and families will be able to take their Santa photos with them immediately after they're taken. Santa photos will be available every day from Friday, November 23 through Monday, December 24. For more information click here or call 503-248-4515.

Washington Square Mall - Now through December 24, 2012 Santa will be available for photos and visits at his holiday lodge.Washington Square has introduced a new, convenient twist with our Santa Fly By Program. Families enter Santa's virtual line via web, text, phone or in person at Santa's Lodge. You'll receive an approximate wait time - and are free to shop, dine or relax while awaiting your turn to visit Santa. Click Here for more details.

Mt. Hood Rail Road - Passengers are invited to wear their pajamas on the train. Passenger cars are decorated for the holidays. The Conductor will punch each passengers train ticket.

En route to the North Pole:The book, The Polar Express will be read. Music from The Polar Express movie will be played. Passengers are served hot chocolate and cookies by chefs.

At the North Pole, and the return portion of the train tour:Santa Claus and elves await the passengers at the North Pole (passengers just watch but do not leave train at this portion of the trip). Santa Claus and elves then board the train. Elves will be in each train car and will entertain passengers and lead them in singing Christmas carols. Santa Claus moves through each train car, will greet each child, giving them their own personal silver bell. Click Here for more details.

More great holiday experiences on our BucketList include:

The Heathman Hotel for dinner followed by a Lemondrop in front of the Heathman Library's warm crackling fire. Click Here for more details.

Huber's - for Spanish Coffees which consist of Bacardi 151 rum, Bols Triple Sec, Kahlua, coffee, fresh whipped cream and a touch of nutmeg on top. The drink is made tableside with great flair. Click Here for more detailed information.

The Melting Pot - enjoy a four-course dining experience including cheese fondue, salad, entree and dessert. Or, drop by for fondue cheese paired with that perfect glass of wine from our extensive selection. That's not to say, we haven't had more than a few stop by to satisfy that chocolate craving after a movie. Click Here for more detailed information.

The Nines Hotel - unwind with a glass of wine after a hard day of shopping, and take your time wrapping your gifts in one of The Nines Hotel's elegant suites. Click Here for more details.

Timberline Lodge - this picturesque rough hewn timber lodge built in the 1930s is nothing short of magical, and the reason why it's exterior facade was used as the backdrop for the movie "The Shining" starring Jack Nickelson. Time your visit with one of Timberline’s monthly Winemaker’s Dinners at the Silcox Hut ($175 per person). Travel by Snowcat to the historic annex for a six-course dinner paired with Oregon wine and hosted by the winemakers. Click Here for more details.

Zoo Lights - More than a million LED lights transform the Oregon Zoo into a luminous winter wonderland filled with moving sculptures, forests of lighted trees and animal silhouettes. Cap off your visit by boarding the zoo's light-bedecked steamer train, which provides a unique view of the ZooLights splendor. Click Here for more details.

In a large stock pot, combine the vegetable broth, sea salt, rosemary, sage, thyme, and savory. Bring to a boil, stirring frequently to be sure salt is dissolved. Remove from heat, and let cool to room temperature.

When the broth mixture is cool, pour it into a clean 5 gallon bucket. Stir in the ice water.

Wash and dry your turkey. Make sure you have removed the innards. Place the turkey, breast down, into the brine. Make sure that the cavity gets filled. Place the bucket in the refrigerator overnight.

Sweet Potato Souffle with Pralines - you know you've got a good recipe when your sister assigns you to make a simple salad and immediately calls you back to say your neices and nephews want to make sure you were assigned to bring this Sweet Potato Souffle, as well.